Mariah Greenstreet

University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School

“Extroverted introvert, closet creative, practicing pan-Africanist and fierce feminist.”

Hometown: Accra, Ghana

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a ferocious advocate of the carpe diem mindset. This causes me to be a little bit of an adrenaline junkie – I once co-piloted a two-seater propeller plane and have actively been looking for a partner in crime to sky-dive with.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Biological Sciences (University of Leeds)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Mansa Gold – Co-Founder

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Oxford Saïd’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Saïd, as a business school, has an incomparable focus in driving the development of the African continent. The numbers speak for themselves. Since 2016, over 10% of the cohort has been from Africa, a percentage surpassing all other business schools in Europe, the America’s and Asia. There are also a plethora of modules, events, scholarships and initiatives that further attest to the school’s commitment. Before applying, this was evident, but as a student, it is continuously refreshing, especially as a veteran of another UK university. I thrive knowing I am surrounded by peers with empowered minds all collectively focused on progressing the continent. Oxford truly empowers you to feel like no dream is too big and no person is too small to achieve it.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? I started the year as a typical “MBA explorer” as Saïd likes to call us, with a contradicting background in Science, Consulting and FMCG Family Business. Not really sure what and where my interest lay, I was excited to gain a deeper understanding of all business fundamentals. Much to my surprise, Business Finance emerged as a standout. Maybe it was my inherent love for Maths intertwined in financial principles or the clarity and wit of my professor Gregory Besharov, who effortlessly led us through the challenging weeks. Either way, this module became particularly enjoyable. I look forward to exploring more finance modules as the year goes on.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? It is really quite common to come across uncommon experiences in this University. With just three months as a fully-fledged Oxonian, it is only right that I find myself spoilt for choice. An honourable mention goes to enduring our first term exams, worn out and fatigued, all while having to don and navigate the complexities of our full Oxford formal gear – a stressed white shirt, crumpled black bottoms, a slightly askew ribbon bow-tie and the antiquated black coat known colloquially as ‘sub fusc’.

The winning moment would have to be orchestrating the preparation of a couple of my MBA comrades for a complimentary shot at the Wadham College bar. A free shot may seem easily achievable at first glance, but here’s the catch. Alongside the beverage, one must graciously accept an aggressive slap and a splash of water to the face from the delightful barmaid as an act of deference. Just to clarify my position, I quite wisely chose to play the role of a saintly facilitator, not participator.

Oxford is known as a place where worlds collide, be it in the classroom or the dining hall. What has been the most interesting interaction you’ve had so far as an Oxford MBA student? I have had so many interesting interactions across our cohort and the wider university that one would be hard to choose. I met a Ph.D. student who has worked on a compound that improves the efficiency of solar panels, and an MBA student who was heavily immersed in the UK music scene. There are so many people doing interesting and wonderful things in their own ways and making a lasting impact.

Describe the biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Thus far, my proudest achievement has been working with my family to build and grow our own bean-to-bar chocolate company, Mansa Gold. Over the past three years, we’ve achieved remarkable revenue growth and had the opportunity to collaborate with so many other amazing businesses. Our success has been further highlighted in a documentary feature on how ‘Ghana’s Chocolatiers are Reclaiming Cocoa’. Mansa Gold will particularly always hold a special place in my heart by being a 70% women-run business. We have an unwavering commitment to employing, supporting and empowering as many women in our workforce as possible.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: Working towards building the 15th Annual Oxford Africa Business Forum has been an incredibly rewarding experience, one that I am deeply grateful for. Having the opportunity to connect trailblazers from across the continent – remarkable leaders in their respective fields – for meaningful conversations on driving actionable change, is a testament to my commitment to collaboration serving as the cornerstone for accelerated progress on the continent. As a cohort and as Africans, we bear the responsibility of leveraging our intellect, and networks as catalysts for change, playing a pivotal role in shaping the world in impactful ways. I eagerly anticipate this year’s forum serving as an example of this.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? Before the MBA, several people had given me advice on how intense the program was going to be. Not truly grasping the extent of their word, I was knocked into the whirlwind that was Michaelmas term. Reflecting on this, maybe it was not necessarily one massive epiphany but several defining moments that collectively led to a full-circle appreciation of the program. These moments pushed my concept of time and grit, fostered untapped diverse thought and intellect and reshaped my understanding of what it truly means to take a deep breath, adapt, and ultimately thrive in the face of challenges.

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